November 19, 2008
What would make you happy? Catcher edition
With the Reds, and most of baseball, dead right now, this might be a good time to start a new feature here on Redlegs Rundown. Thanks to Doug Gray for helping to inspire this piece.
With Paul Bako gone, Javier Valentin not really an everyday option at catcher, and Ryan Hanigan having limited experience on the job, what would make you happy with the Reds catching situation?
Would Ryan Hanigan as the everyday starter make you happy? He only has a whopping 95 major league at-bats to his credit. Does that scare you?
Would acquiring a guy with big time skills, say from the Rangers, for a young pitcher make you happy?
Would bringing in a veteran catcher along the lines of Greg Zaun make you happy?
Give me a scenario (for just the catcher position only) that would give you some hope/confidence heading into 2009.
Discussion
6 Comments on "What would make you happy? Catcher edition"
#1
Posted by Doug Gray, November 19, 2008 7:20 PM
I will take Hanigan for 95-110 games and then acquire a backup for the rest. Hanigan's skill set shouldn't cause much of a lack of production. Walks plenty and doesn't strike out. That will always be productive in the majors.
#2
Posted by Jack, November 19, 2008 9:50 PM
I think that the Rangers catchers are getting far too much press to be had for a reasonable price, I say sit tight and maybe move for one of them mid season if they're having a down year.
#3
Posted by Erik, November 19, 2008 10:58 PM
ditto on what doug said. stats aside, if you paid attention while watching this guy the last few months of the season, his plate discipline was very good, something we could use more on this team. Any Reds fan who thinks he can't start just because he's been in the minors so long is just making short-sighted assumptions. another starting pitcher to throw to him howev......oh, catcher position only...sorry...
#5
Posted by rob in stl, November 20, 2008 4:16 AM
I'm fine with Hanigan. He showed some moxie and more than held his own. WJ has said he would like a lefthanded hitter to complement Hanigan next year. That would really limit the options. Miguel Montero and Josh Bard are about the only viable candidates on that front. I agree with Jack, those guys in Texas are overpriced right now.
#6
Posted by Flash, November 24, 2008 8:49 PM
I like Hanigan. Let me tell you why.
he is not supposed to be anywhere near a major league field.
He wasn't drafted. All the major league teams passed on him. The Reds peobably signed him because they needed another minor league catcher. He bats around .250 for two years, but the reds keep him because, hey how many catchers can do that. Then all of a sudden he pops up to .296 at Carolina, then .326 at Chattanooga. The Reds did began to platoon him at first and catcher. Then he loses his first base job to Votto, stays as a back-up behind the plate. he could have quit then, but didn't. He comes back, works his way to Louisville, leads the team into becoming a minor league juggernaut batting .324 before being called up, then posts a better batting average and OBP for the catcher spot than the Reds have seen in years. He'll be an all-star. The kid only gets better.
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